How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet

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Jan 27, 2010 | 04:11 AM
  #1  
I have a 91 truck block that I am using as a build up with L98 aluminium heads the only stock part im using is the crank and its been turned, engines bored out I want to use a lt4 hotcam but dunno if the block supports roller cam or flat tappet.
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Jan 27, 2010 | 06:16 AM
  #2  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
If id has the mounting bosses for the spider plate/dog bone retainer and the 2 bolt holes for the cam retaner on the front it's a roller block. Also has to be a 1pc rear main seal.
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Jan 27, 2010 | 02:45 PM
  #3  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
It is a one piece rear main seal and the cam bolts or w.e im not sure what that is I may still have to original cam that was in the motor is there anything on that will tell me what type it is.
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Jan 27, 2010 | 02:48 PM
  #4  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
If it's 1 piece RMS, then it's a roller block, although a few 1 piece RMS blocks didn't have the machining finished for the factory roller setup.
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Jan 27, 2010 | 02:49 PM
  #5  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
The front of the cam where the timing gear bolts up will have a step in it if its a factory roller cam.

A one piece rear main seal is not a good way to check if the block is a factory roller lifter block or not, because 1986 blocks have a one piece rear main but no provisions for the factory roller setup.
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Jan 27, 2010 | 07:49 PM
  #6  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
Quote: If it has the mounting bosses for the spider plate/dog bone retainer and the 2 bolt holes for the cam retaner on the front it's a roller block..

Also has the flats machined above the lifter bores for the dogbones to sit on

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Jan 30, 2010 | 10:12 PM
  #7  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
I cant load the pictures i took the files are too big, can i email them so you can help me identify if its a roller
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Jan 31, 2010 | 03:27 PM
  #8  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
Got em up after resizing them

How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-099.jpg   How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-100.jpg   How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-101.jpg  

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Jan 31, 2010 | 03:33 PM
  #9  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
a few more

How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-105.jpg   How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-104.jpg   How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet-102.jpg  

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Jan 31, 2010 | 03:39 PM
  #10  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
That's a non-roller block.

See on this block how there are two bolt holes, one on each side of the cam? Those are for the roller cam retainer. Looking for the bosses in the lifter valley is the easiest cue, but seeing that you don't have the mounts for the retainer it's clear that it's a non-roller block.

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Jan 31, 2010 | 04:59 PM
  #11  
Re: How to tell if block is roller or flat-tappet
How much work and money would it cost to convert this to a roller, would it be worth it. I just want to make under 400hp on the street and figured the Lt4 hotcam would be good, whats a good flat tappet cam.
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